CHHA exam-day guide
CHHA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired driver's license, state ID, or passport. The name must match the name on your training/registration records. If your name has changed, bring the supporting document and confirm the requirement with the provider in advance.
Exam confirmation or admission document
Bring any scheduling confirmation, admission ticket, or authorization-to-test letter the provider issued. If you were not given one, ask the provider whether anything printed is required.
Proof of completed training program
Some providers ask for a certificate of completion or program verification at check-in. Confirm with the provider whether this is needed on test day or was already submitted.
Comfortable, professional clothing plus a layer
You will be moving, bending, and possibly kneeling for skills. Wear loose clothing you can move in and a light layer in case the room is cold. Avoid anything restrictive or overly revealing.
Closed-toe, non-slip shoes
Flat, closed-toe shoes with good traction are safest for skills involving transferring, ambulation, and bed work.
A watch with a sweep second hand
Some skills (for example, counting a pulse or respirations) may require timing. Ask the provider whether a watch is permitted or whether timing devices are supplied; phone timers are usually not allowed.
Two pens or pencils
Bring your own writing implements in case none are supplied, and leave anything with notes or writing on it at home.
Water and a light snack
Testing sessions can run long. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area and whether there will be a break.
Review your skills checklists the day before
Go through the exact skill steps and critical elements your training program taught. Practice out loud, including hand hygiene, safety checks, and closing steps, so the sequence is automatic.
Confirm the test location, arrival time, and parking
Do a route check the day before. Note whether the entrance is locked or requires check-in, and add buffer time for parking and walking.
Arrange transportation and a backup
Have a primary and backup plan. Late arrival policies vary by provider, so do not rely on cutting it close.
Leave valuables and your phone behind or stowed
Most testing rooms prohibit phones, smartwatches, and personal items at the testing station. Plan where these will go before you arrive.
Plan the day
Re-read your scheduling confirmation and the provider's candidate handbook or instructions. Confirm the address, arrival time, what to bring, and the ID requirement. If anything is unclear, call the provider now rather than the morning of.
Confirm which portions you are taking (written/knowledge, skills demonstration, or both) and how each is scored. Ask the provider directly rather than relying on classmates' accounts.
Do two full practice run-throughs of every skill on your program's checklist, narrating each step and critical element. Focus on the steps most often missed: hand hygiene, verifying identity, explaining the procedure, safety and privacy measures, and cleanup/documentation.
Plan your route, parking, and backup transportation. Check the weather forecast and adjust your departure time.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation document, pens, watch, water, snack, and clothing. Lay out clothes and shoes so the morning is frictionless.
Do a light review only - key terms, infection control basics, safety and emergency principles, client rights, and the skill sequences. Stop studying early enough to sleep a full night.
Charge nothing you'll rely on; put your phone away and set two alarms plus a backup wake-up.
Eat a real breakfast and hydrate, but avoid heavy caffeine if you get jittery.
Arrive early - aim for well before your scheduled time to absorb check-in delays. Check in with the proctor, present your ID, and follow sign-in instructions exactly.
Use the restroom before you are seated. Once testing begins, leaving may not be permitted until a scheduled break.
Read each question completely, watch for words like 'first,' 'best,' 'except,' and 'not,' and answer every question. If you are unsure, eliminate clearly wrong options and choose the safest, most client-centered answer.
Breathe and slow down. Announce what you are doing, perform hand hygiene at the required points, explain the procedure to the 'client,' maintain privacy and safety, and finish with cleanup and reporting. If you blank, ask the evaluator to repeat the prompt rather than guessing silently.
Ask the provider how and when results are released and what happens if you need to retest. Do not discuss specific exam content with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring an unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If the names differ, resolve it with the provider before test day - you may be turned away.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be silenced and stored as directed. Do not bring notes, study sheets, or reference materials into the testing room.
Do not share, record, or discuss specific exam questions or skill scenarios with anyone. Test content is confidential, and discussing it can invalidate your result.
Follow the proctor's and evaluator's instructions at all times, including where to sit, when you may speak, and how to signal that you have finished a skill.
Break and restroom policies differ by site and by whether you test in one or two sessions. Ask the proctor at check-in rather than assuming you can step out.
Scoring and passing standards vary by state and provider, and you may need to pass both the knowledge and skills portions to be certified. Confirm the exact passing requirements and retake policy with your provider.
If you arrive late, are ill, or have an emergency, contact the provider immediately. Late-arrival and rescheduling rules are site-specific - confirm them in advance.
If you receive an accommodation for a disability or language need, confirm well before test day that it has been approved and will be in place.